The Importance of Play

Often overlooked in our digitally saturated world are the importance of play and the physical experience. I looked back to Sir John Hershel and his invention of the cyanotype process, one borne not out of necessity but exploration and experimentation. A process that invited my hand and eyes to look at what was available beyond the computer screen, providing a balance between the digital and analog world. Seen in this group of images are children exploring three different environments. A child's mind is a wonder. Children often set themselves on a journey filled with supposititious danger when presented with a typical setting. This play is often fueled by imagination and exploration, allowing the child to take what is real and create an exaggerated version of reality, gathering knowledge through play. While portraying an ominous light quality, inspired by the children's dialogue while playing, innocence re-emerges in each image in the shades of blue; blue is a color known for purity, truth, and virtue. Flowers, leaves, seaweed, soil, and water were gathered from each location and later introduced to the printing process. The physical elements influence the appearance of each print, determined by their elemental components, and the conditions under which they developed are similar to a child learning through play and an artist creating through experimentation.